2015 SPRA Awards

Submission Deadline:

May 16, 2014

Celebrating excellence in the parks and recreation field

Excellence in Leadership AwardsThese Awards are presented to individuals, municipalities or commu-nity groups to recognize their valued leadership contributions toward pro-moting recreation, leisure and healthy active lifestyles in their communities. Recipients give their time, energy and commitment, develop relationships and partnerships, create opportunities for recreation, fitness and healthy living. As well, they engage and encourage others to use parks, open spaces and recreation facilities to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle.

These Awards pay tribute to individuals and communities, who through their efforts and skills have made outstanding and ex-traordinary contributions to the parks and recreation movement in Saskatchewan.

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED IN 10 CATEGORIES

Nominate a Deserving Individual or Group Today!

Volunteer of the Year Award Presented to a volunteer to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of recreation/leisure opportunities at the local level, including but not limited to, volunteer efforts in the last 12 months. The nominee’s achievements should promote the value and benefits of active living and support a healthier future for their community.

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award Presented to a volunteer or group of volunteers 18 years of age or younger, to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of recreation/leisure opportunities at the local level, including, but not limited to volun-teer efforts over the last 12 months. The nominee’s achievements should promote the value and benefits of active living and support a healthier future for their community.

Community Achievement Award Presented to a municipality and/or community group(s) for substantial co-operative community effort with a large volunteer component. The initiative should focus on the important role of volunteers in the development of a recreation program, event, project or park that has, or will enhance the qual-ity of life for a significant number of people in the area.

Fitness Leadership Award Presented to a current SPRA Certified Fitness Leader who is a strong and successful promoter of fitness and physical activity in their community. The individual demonstrates a healthy, active lifestyle and is a role model for others in the community. The individual must have a minimum of five years experience in the fitness industry as an active instructor and advocate for the field.

Outstanding Achievement AwardsThese Awards are presented to individuals, groups or member organi-zations for outstanding leadership contributions and accomplishments that have created a positive impact on the field of parks and recreation at the community, district, provincial or national level. These Award recip-ients are agents of positive change, who through the development or strengthening of strategy, policy, programs, partnerships, networks and/or relationships, have increased the value people place on recreation and leisure, open spaces, parks, and/or the longevity of the field of parks and recreation.

Award of Merit Presented to an individual, group or SPRA member organization for signif-icant and distinguished contribution at the local, district and/or provincial level. The Award recipient has demonstrated creativity through the develop-ment of parkland, the promotion of active lifestyles and/or the revitalization of existing or creation of new programs and services. This Award winner’s valued contribution will lead to healthier futures by strengthening some aspect of parks and recreation services.

President’s Award of DistinctionThe President’s Award of Distinction is one of the most prestigious Awards presented by SPRA for contributions to the recreation sector at the provin-cial, district and/or local level. Presented to an individual for their lasting achievement that has enhanced the public image and improved the services of parks and recreation provincially, districtly and/or locally. This Award recipient has engaged new partners and stakeholders, strengthening the parks and recreation network. Their efforts have resulted in the continuation of quality and improved service, increased shared advocacy and promoted a strong belief in the benefits of parks and recreation in our Province.

Lifetime Achievement Award The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious Award present-ed by SPRA. This Award recipient’s outstanding active and committed leadership, has resulted in a broad contribution to the recreation movement at the national, provincial, district and local level. The individual must have contributed a minimum of 20 years of service through participation on com-mittees including, membership on SPRA and/or CPRA Board of Directors and/or related subcommittees, development of partnerships, leaving legacy achievements, and recognition through other awards.

Nomination Deadline: May 15, 2015

Supported by:

Submit Your Nomination Online at

www.spra.sk.ca/awards-nominations or in Hardcopy!

Efficiency and Innovation AwardsThese Awards are presented to individuals, practitioners, volunteers, organizations or municipalities whose innovation and/or ingenuity has result-ed in improvements in the day-to-day operations of recreational facilities. The recipient’s attention to quality, acces-sibility and participation is evidenced by facilities and operations that are inclusive, attract community members and instill community ownership and pride; thereby contributing to the quality of recreation and leisure in the lives of community members.

Supported by:

Cecil Nobes Facility Award of Excellence Awarded to a municipality for construction of a new facility, where the unique or outstanding design contributes to the overall efficiency or accessibility of the facility operation component (i.e. functional for public use, efficient operation or maintenance, accessibility for persons with a disability). This Award may also be awarded for a retrofit or renovation project that has significantly improved service to users, saved significant operational costs through energy consumption and/or contributed to an overall operational improvement. Note: A recreation facility is defined as indoor or outdoor areas and spaces utilized for recreation (i.e. fishing platform, sports complex, archery range, trail, etc.).

Facility Operations Award This Award is given to a long-term practitioner or volunteer group whose leadership in the facilities sector demonstrates extraordinary or out-standing achievement in the enhancement or operation of a recreation facility/facilities in the Province of Saskatchewan. This Award recipient is either an individual or group that goes above and beyond regular job expectations and whose ingenuity and/or good management on a daily basis has increased the efficiency of facility operations and promoted fa-cility development at the local, provincial and/or national level. Possible areas of impact could include maintenance programs, energy efficiency, utilization of volunteers, invention of, or innovations to facilities mainte-nance equipment, innovations or outstanding achievement in general management, staffing programs, increased service or other areas of positive impact.

Parks and Open Space AwardThis Award recognizes excellence in the planning, design and develop-ment/redevelopment (renewal of an existing space) of a private or public park or open space. Parks and open space refers to land that has been reserved for the purpose of formal and informal sport and recreation, preservation of natural environments, provision of green space and/or ur-ban storm water management. This space must have been in existence for a minimum of one year and shall have demonstrated outstanding and/or innovative aspects which have or could have significant impact in the recreation and parks field. Examples of eligible projects include renewal of a trail system, energy conservation (source water protection, etc.), ratio of green space to established property, open spaces (flexible for multiple use), skateboard parks, parks with interpretive features, accessible playgrounds, etc.

Nomination and Presentation ProceduresNominations can be submitted online at www.spra.sk.ca/awards-nominations, or by completing the enclosednomination form.■ Nominations, with the exception of the Fitness Leadership Award, must be submitted by SPRA members.■ To nominate, include a 250 word Nomination Statement describing how the Nominee meets the Award Criteria and three Letters of Support. ■ Nominations must be received no later than May 15, 2015. Note: Form style Letters of Support will not be accepted.■ Only one Nomination per category per organization will be accepted.■ Successful recipients and all nominators will be notified in August 2015.